Valentine's doggy dates in Auckland

(iStock)
(iStock)

If you think your love life has gone to the dogs, then Auckland Council has a message for you this Valentine's Day.

It has shelters full of pooches who are looking for love and today those barking bachelors and bachelorettes spent the day at the park trying to meet the perfect match.

These shaggy singles have a lot of love to give, but many haven't had the chance to express it.

Last year the council's three animal shelters dealt with more than 9000 dogs, and that's on top of all the others at the SPCA.

"Most of those go home to their owner, and it really helps when they're microchipped and registered and we can return them," says Tracey Moore, Auckland Council animal manager.

"But some of those dogs the owners don't come and collect them, for one reason or another, or we can't find them, and then we need to decide if we can rehome them."

Like any relationship, it takes two to tango, so the council plays Cupid to match the dog with the right home.

A shared love of food never goes amiss and an interest in long walks on the beach is a must.

But these doggy dates aren't all fun and games -- if the dogs can't find a home, they may one day be put down.

Councillor Cathy Casey says that's a last resort.

"What I'd like to see is that we don't ever euthanise an adoptable dog," she says.

"That's the goal --100 percent adoption."

These successful first dates can only help that cause because before true romance, there's always puppy love.

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